Four Burning Questions for Rd 4

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We look at four burning questions facing the Rabbitohs ahead of Good Friday’s Round 4 NRL clash against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

1. Can Sam Burgess play?

After being medi-cabbed from the field in a neck-brace on Sunday, Rabbitohs lock-forward Sam Burgess was cleared of serious neck and spinal injury during thorough check-ups at St Vincent’s hospital. But the question remains – will Sam be fit to play in this Friday’s clash against the Bulldogs, or will he require some time on the sideline?

2. Will the Judiciary bite?

Both Paul Carter and Kirisome Auva’a were charged by the Match Review committee for separate incidents from Sunday’s game against the Dragons. For Carter, an early guilty plea will see him miss one match while unsuccessfully fighting the charge would result in a two match suspension. Carter would be free to play this Friday against the Bulldogs should he successfully fight the charge. Auva’a meanwhile will be free to play if he enters an early guilty plea.

Much has been made of the Bulldogs forwards during the opening rounds of the 2016 season, with Des Hasler’s kennel noticeably leaner this season. The likes of Sam Kasiano and Aiden Tolman have benefitted from the loss of a few kg’s during the off-season, but despite the shedding, the Dogs still boast one of – if not the – heaviest packs in the game. Will this fact play into the preparation and selection of Michael Maguire’s Round 4 team?

4. Who wants it more?

Both the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs come into Round 4 having gone down for the first time in season 2016 in their last games. Following impressive performances against Manly and the Panthers, the Bulldogs stumbled against an energised Parramatta Eels outfit boasting the force of nature known as Semi Radradra. Both teams will come into the match with a clean slate looking to assert their authority in one of the biggest games of the year. The question is, who wants it more?